Littoral manoeuvre, land-based strike and battlefield aviation are among the Australian Army capabilities to receive large investment commitments under the newly released Integrated Investment Program.
The spending will enable Army to deny a potential adversary’s freedom of action, as outlined by the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Defence Strategy, released on April 17.
Direct investments in the amphibious-capable combined-arms land system total about $36 billion to $44 billion.
Additional investments include about $3.9 billion to $4.9 billion for land-based strike, about $5.2 billion to $7.2 billion for land command systems and more than $9 billion for Army’s estate and infrastructure.
The funding will help optimise Army for littoral manoeuvre in Australia’s northern approaches and includes the development of long-range land and maritime strike systems.
About $7 billion to $10 billion will be set aside for 18 medium and eight heavy landing craft to be based in south-east Queensland, north Queensland and Darwin, and $5 billion to $7 billion for supporting infrastructure. The landing craft will be built in Australia and delivered between 2026 and 2037.
Land-based strike funding includes the accelerated acquisition of 42 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with precision strike and guided multiple launch munitions. After the first long-range fires regiment is established, missile stockpiles will progressively increase.
Investment also includes new land-based radar networks to improve Defence’s ability to detect and track approaching threats.
In battlefield aviation, $9 billion to $10 billion will fund 40 UH-60M Black Hawks, 29 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and an expanded fleet of 14 CH-47F Chinooks.
The Integrated Investment Program beds in funding for previously announced acquisitions such as the Redback infantry fighting vehicle, M1A2 Abrams main battle tank and Huntsman self-propelled howitzer.
Between $1.6 billion and $2.1 billion is earmarked to modernise special operations capability, enabling continued reconnaissance, targeting, strike, technical operations and enhanced engagement.
A restructure of Army’s divisions, commands and formations will include specialised combat and support brigades, and a new dedicated fires brigade and littoral manoeuvre group, scheduled to be in operation by 2026.
The public ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program is available on the website.
